October 22, 2010

Methods for Eliminating Bad Koi Pond Algae

One of the problems you are going to undoubtedly encounter when you have a koi pond in the yard is algae. Algae like to grow in warm, moist environments, like your pond can provide them. Algae will threaten to take over if you don't diligently make the effort to thwart it. New pond owners will discover that their pools are especially prone to algae, simply because they haven't yet established an ecological balance of plants and fish. In fact, if you've only recently installed a water garden pond in the yard and have noticed stuff growing in the liner or waterfall, it's probably algae, and you'll need to take steps to help keep it under control.

Although a few of the short, velvety algae that quickly covers the liner and everything else in the koi pond are beneficial as long as they aren't allowed to take over, you still have to take steps to help keep the population down. There are chemicals you may use in the water that won't harm the plants and fish but can help diminish this type of algae, but don't expect to ever completely eliminate it. A limited amount is helpful in your pool as it puts oxygen in the water and gives the fish something to nibble on.

String algae is much more difficult to manage. This sort of koi pond algae thrives in portions of the water garden environment where there is a lot of sunlight. Therefore, it will form on waterfalls as well as in shallow areas of streams. Additionally, these areas of the pond possess a ready availability of nutrients continually flowing through them. Utilizing a skimmer or algae net can help you remove string algae and also other larger debris, such as leaves.

It can be possible for algae to start to be a problem it will smother plants and fish. Building your water garden inside an area of your yard where it won't be in direct sunlight for hours on end may be beneficial. When you just have koi inside your pond, they are going to require much less sunlight than plants do, and can even get sunburned if they are exposed to too much. Therefore, select a location which may have direct sunlight for part of the day and will also have shady times and areas. The warmer the water gets, the more algae will form.

You should also work at controlling the amount of nutrients that enter the water, since the more nutrients which are present means increased algae that should be able to thrive in the environment. By carefully planning where your pond is situated or building a lip along the edge, you can lessen the amount of rainwater runoff that enters the pool. Rainwater contains air pollutants, fertilizers and weed killers, and other particles which can be appealing to algae.

Koi pond algae need three things in order to grow: water, nutrients, and sunlight. By eliminating these factors, you'll lessen the development inside your water garden and make it safer for any plants and fish.

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